Song of the Day: WAZU – Happy Endings

Every Monday through Friday, we deliver a different song as part our Song of the Day podcast subscription. This podcast features exclusive KEXP in-studio performances, unreleased songs, and recordings from independent artists that our DJs think you should hear. Today’s selection, featured on the Morning Show with John Richards, is “Happy Endings” by WAZU from the 2012 self-titled EP on Anti-Language Recordings.

New York band WAZU pulls heavily from New Wave and goth bands to craft their dark yet danceable sound. But WAZU aren’t witch house, and they definitely don’t deviate to the club like Crystal Castles and Trust. Instead, they’ve blazed their own trail, creating a sound that feels 80s, but breathes like a modern electro-pop band. The 80s have been in for a while now, but WAZU shines light on a dark corner of the decade that few have touched on as of yet.

“Happy Endings” is the most punk of the tunes off the self-titled EP. The track opens with crunchy rhythm guitar over an electronic drum track with energy along the same line as Metric’s “Gold Guns Girls”. But when the verse starts and a spooky synth line harmonizes with the vocals, WAZU takes a turn down a haunted back road that feels all their own. The chorus is punchy and fun, as WAZU sings “Take a look at me, I’m living proof. Happy endings don’t have room for two”. The song is unbelievably catchy and bodes for the fact that goths can have fun and rock out too.

WAZU release their debut full length later this month! Grab “Happy Endings” above and check out the rest of the self-titled EP here (they also have a cool t-shirt for sale). Also, check out the official video for the first song on their EP: